Fire-shielding device

ABSTRACT

A fire-shielding device adapted to be disposed adjacent a building for creating a water shield over the roof of the building and in an area adjacent the building which may be exposed to fire from an adjacent forest, building or other source.

11 law 1 [72] Inventor James H. Siler Star Route A, Box 2599, Hobbs, N.Mex. 88240 (21] Appl. No. 805,731 [22] Filed Mar. 10, 1969 [45] PatentedApr. 27, 1971 [54] IFSLDING DEVICE 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. C1 169/2, 169/16, 239/200 51 hit. C1 A62c 35/22 [50] Field 011Search 169/2, 5, 16; 239/207, 208, 209, 280, 200

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 784,461 3/1905 Williams239/208X 964,464 7/1910 Crawford 239/208X 1,147,513 7/1915 Kirkpatrick239/208X 2,337,710 12/1943 Cowan 169/16X 2,734,583 2/1956 Milan(239/209)UX 2,865,674 12/1958 Jelmeland 239/208 FOREIGN PATENTS 433,2498/ 1926 Germany 239/208 1,004,848 3/1957 Germany 239/280 PrimaryExaminerM. Henson Wood, Nr. Assistant ExaminerMichael Y. MarAttarneyPravel, Wilson & Matthews ABSTRACT: A fire-shielding deviceadapted to be disposed adjacent a building for creating a water shieldover the roof of the building and in an area adjacent the building whichmay be exposed to fire from an adjacent forest, building or otherPATENTED APR27 197i SHEET 1 BF 2 James /7. Jf/e/ INVENTOR Magda PM?! t9MaHLeu/A ATTORNEYS SHEET 2 OF 2 PATENTED APR27 I971 c/ameJ h. JV/er lNIENTOR Magda Hume! MAW 9 MaHLewA 14 TTOR NE YS unaware DEVICE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The field of this invention is fire protectionapparatus.

In many areas of the U.S., as well as other countries, homes andbuildings are built in close proximity to forests, large groups oftrees, and other flammable materials. When such forests or trees are onfire, the flames reach terrifying proportions and are practicallyimpossible to extinguish or control, except by large groups ofexperienced firefighters, using commercial firefighting equipment. Homesclose to such forests are constantly threatened by such fires,especially in dry periods; heretofore, it has been virtually impossiblefor a private home owner to protect his own house when such fires havedeveloped, since such owners have generally depended upon garden hosesmanually applied to the houses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a fire-shieldingdevice which is adapted to be disposed adjacent a building, such as ahouse, for distributing water over the roof of the building and in anarea adjacent the building to create a water shield for protecting thebuilding from large fires such as occur in forests. The fire-shieldingdevice may be actuated manually or by known heat-sensitive devices toplace the device in operation almost instantaneously when the buildingis threatened by a fire from extemally thereof. By utilizing a pluralityof such devices in positions on each side of the building, the wind fromany direction may be utilized for distributing water from one or more ofthe devices over a wide area.

Each of the fire-shielding devices has two sprinkler heads, with onesprinkler being tilted in a direction to spray a high are of water intothe air above the building to thereby utilize the wind for blowing thewater over a greater area than is covered by the other sprinkler head.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a buildinghaving four of the fireshielding devices of the present inventiondisposed on the sides thereof, with the area covered by water from oneof the devices being shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of one of the fire-shielding devices of thepresent invention in position adjacent a house or building;

FIG. 3 is a view of the upper portion of a fire-shielding device of thisinvention, illustrating the pattern of the water being sprayed from thesprinkler heads on each end of the device;

FIG. d is a view taken on lines M of FIG. 2, and illustrating in detailthe base of the device; and

FIG. is an enlarged view of a portion of the base of FIG. 4,illustrating in particular the means for draining water from the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED Embodiment In the drawings, the letter Fdesignates one of the tireshielding devices of this invention which isadapted to be disposed adjacent to, or in proximity to, a house or otherbuilding B. As shown in FIG. I, the fire-shielding device F is disposedadjacent one of the walls of the building B, while identical or similarfire-shielding devices F-I, F-Z and F-3 are disposed adjacent to or inproximity to, the other walls of the building B. As will be explainedmore in detail, each of the fire-shielding devices F, F-I, F-Z and F-Elis constructed so that water may be quickly distributed over the entireroof of the house or building B, and also over a relatively wide areasurrounding the house or building B, to thereby provide protection fromforest fires in an adjacent forest, or fires from other sources inproximity to the house or building B.

Considering now the details of the fire-shielding device F illustratedin particular in FIGS. 2-5, such device F includes a centralsubstantially vertical pipe or duct which has a central passage or innerbore Ida (FIG. 5) through which water is adapted to pass or flow. Thevertical pipe It) is mounted on a supporting base which is preferablyprovided by three pipes 15, 16, and 17 which are welded to each otherand to the lower end of the pipe 10 essentially as illustrated in FIGS.2 and 4 of the drawings so as to maintain the pipe 10 in thesubstantially vertical position. The pipe I5 is provided with a hollowbore or an inner passage which communicates with the bore Illa of thepipe 10 so that water from any suitable source (not shown) may besupplied under pressure through the base pipe 15 to the vertical pipe10. A valve 20 is connected between the supply pipe 15 and the source ofwater under pressure so as to control the flow of the water to the pipe10. The pipe 21 which is connected to the valve 20 is also preferablyconnected to a network of pipes 22 which serves to interconnect all ofthe devices, F, F-l, F-Z, and F-3 as shown in FIG. I, with an inlet pipe23 connected thereto from the source of water under pressure, which maybe a conventional city water supply, or it may be a private source ofwater under pressure such as from a well or stand pipe.

The pipe 16 is also preferably hollow and is in communication with thebore of the vertical pipe 10, and it is provided with a cap 16 welded orotherwise affixed to the end thereof with a threaded coupler 16bextending therefrom. A removable drain plug 23 is threaded in the end ofthe coupler llfib so that when such drain plug 23 is removed, all of thewater in the device F may be drained therefrom so as to prevent afreezing of the water in cold weather. The pipe 17 is preferably closedby a closure plate 17a which is welded thereto.

The The central pipe 10 is braced so as to prevent it from bending orshifting, particularly in high winds, by means of a network of braceswhich includes at least three substantially vertical brace members 30which are welded at their lower ends to the base pipes 15, I6 and 17,and which are welded at their upper ends to the substantially verticalpipe 10. The lower welds are indicated at 30a and the upper'welds areindicated at 30b.- It will be appreciated that of the securing meansbesides welding may be utilized for connecting the braces 30 to thepipes I0, 15, i6 and 17, although welding is generally the mostdesirable. Additional lateral braces 32 extend from the substantiallyvertical braces 30 and are welded to such braces 30 and also to thevertical pipe I0 so as to strengthen the network of braces and toprovide a derricklike assembly which includes the central pipe 10.

A pair of sprinkler heads 40 and 45 are mounted at the upper end of thecentral pipe 10 by any suitable arrangement for supplying water thereto,an example of which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein a tee pipefitting 41 is threaded or is otherwise connected to the extreme upperend of the pipe 10, and wherein a first laterally extending pipe 42 isthreaded or is otherwise connected to one of the side outlets of the teefitting M. A second laterally extending pipe 43 is threaded or isotherwise connected to one of the side openings of the tee fitting 41.The laterally extending pipe 42 has a pipe elbow M threaded or otherwisesecured thereto at its outer end for receiving the sprinkler head $0.Since the pipe 42 is in a substantially horizontal position, the 90 pipeelbow M disposes a sprinkler head as so as to distribute a substantiallyhorizontal plane of water therefrom. The sprinkler 40 may be of anyconventional construction, but preferably is a conventional rotatingtype. However, a ring of water may be sprayed from the sprinkler 10without any rotation thereof, although this would not be as effectiveunder normal operating conditions.

Since the pipes 42 and 43 are both connected to the tee pipe fitting 41,they are in alignment with each other and are both substantiallyhorizontal. At the outer end of the pipe 43, an elbow 47 disposed atapproximately 45 is threaded or is otherwise secured for mounting thesprinkler head 45. The sprinkler head 45 is thus mounted so that it willdistribute a ring of water in a plane which is at an angle with respectto the horizontal plane of water distributed by the other sprinkler 40.Again, the sprinkler head 45 may be a conventional type of rotatingsprinkler, or it may be a fixed ring-type sprinkler which distributescontinuously a ring of water in the inclined plane with respect tohorizontal. By disposing the plane of the water distributed form thesprinkler head 45 at an angle with respect to horizontal, and preferablyapproaching a vertical direction, wind which is indicated at 50 in FIGS.1 and 3 can distribute water over a much wider area than is otherwisepossible with the substantially horizontal spray of the sprinkler head40. Thus, with the combination of the two sprinkler heads 40 and 45arranged to provide the two planes of distributed water simultaneouslywith the present invention, the substantially horizontal plane of waterwill provide water to protect the building B in the vicinity of the wallon the side from which the wind 50 is blowing, and the wind will haveonly a small effect upon such water so that it is not displacedcompletely away from the wall of the building and the area in proximityto such wall. The other water from the other sprinkler head 45, on theother hand, is deliberately inclined so that it will be blown by thewind 50 to cover an area completely over the roof of the house orbuilding B and a relatively wide area on each side of the building B,which area is a much larger and wider area than would be possible withjust the sprinkler radius normally available from conventional sprinklerheads.

in the operation or use of the fire-shielding device F of thisinvention, the device F is kept drained of water in freezing weather byuse of the drain plug 23. The valve is closed until such time as thewater is required for shielding the house or building B from a potentialthreat of a forest fire or other fire in the vicinity of the building B.With the plug 23 closed and with the valve 2% opened, water is suppliedfrom any suitable source such as the city water pressure and such wateris transmitted through the base supply pipe 15 upwardly through thecentral pipe lltl to the pipes 42 and 43 and thus to the sprinkler heads40 and l5. The sprinkler head 40 distributes a plane of water which issubstantially horizontal over the top of the roof of the house orbuilding B in a substantially elliptical area designated by the dottedline 40A (FIG. l). The elliptical nature of the area covered by thewater sprayed from the sprinkler head 40 occurs because of the effect ofthe wind 50 and therefore it will be appreciated that the exact shape ofsuch area may vary depending upon the extent of the wind at anyparticular time. if no wind is blowing, there will of course be asubstantially circular pattern to the area covered by the sprinkler 40.The sprinkler head 45, on the other hand, sprays its water at an angleto intentionally take advantage of the wind which carries such spray ina path over the roof of the house B to protect both the house and thearea around the house and this pattern is also elliptical as shown bythe dotted line 45a in H6. llJThe configuration of such area 45a coveredby the sprinkler head 45 may also be varied depending upon the windconditions, but essentially it will be observed that the bulk of thewater is in a pattern over the house or building B and is a much widerarea than the pattern for the sprinkler head so. This is because of theangle of approximately 45 with respect to vertical at which the water issprayed into the air from the sprinkler head 45. Such angle may bevaried as long as the wind is effectively used in distributing the waterfrom the head 65.

The present invention thus provides for fast cooling of the building orhouse in the event of an emergency such as an adjacent forest fire or alarge fire from another building or in any other structure or area inproximity to the house or building being protected. The tire shieldingdevice F is easily maintained since once it is erected in the formdisclosed, it requires substantially no attention, except for thedraining of water therefrom in cold or freezing weather. The device iscapable of being manufactured with standard equipment and parts and iseasy to assemble and install. Although the device F is adapted to belocated on the ground G (FIG. 2) or any other foundation in a relativelypermanent installation, it will be appreciated that the device F may bemoved to another location with a minimum of difficulty. lt should alsobe noted that the other devices lF-i, 5-2, and F-3 are preferablyidentical to the device F and are usually provided with water underpressure from the same source through the pipe 23 and the innerconnecting pipe 22 which leads to each of the devices F, F-ll, F2 andF4).

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention areillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size,shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

1 claim:

l. A fire-shielding device for use adjacent the exterior of a building,comprising:

a. a substantially vertical pipe extending upwardly exteriorly of abuilding to a point above its roof and having an internal bore throughwhich water may flow;

b. a base for said substantially vertical pipe adapted to rest on theground or foundation exteriorly of the building and adjacent thereto formaintaining said pipe substantially vertical and having means therewithfor supplying water under pressure to said bore of said pipe;

c. a first laterally extending pipe connected to the upper end of saidvertical pipe and having internal passage means communicating with theinternal bore of said vertical P P d. a first sprinkler head on saidfirst laterally extending pipe and having means for distributing watertherefrom in a substantially horizontal plane;

e. a second laterally extending pipe connected to the upper end of saidvertical pipe and having internal passage means communicating with theinternal bore of said vertical pipe; and

f. a second sprinkler head on said second laterally extending pipe andhaving means for distributing water therefrom in a plane which isinclined with respect to horizontal to facilitate use of wind indistributing water therefrom over a wide area.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, including braces extending fromsaid base upwardly for a substantial portion of the height of saidvertical pipe to maintain said vertical pipe in its substantiallyvertical position even in the presence of strong winds.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. said means with the base for supplying water to said vertical pipeincludes a substantially horizontal supply pipe forming a part of saidbase;

b. said supply pipe has means therewith for connecting to a source ofwater under pressure; and

c. a valve operably connected between said supply pipe and said sourcefor controlling the flow of water from the source to said supply pipeand thus to said vertical pipe and said first and second sprinklerheads.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein;

a. said first and second laterally extending pipes are substantiallyhorizontal and are in alignment with each other; and

b. the connection between said laterally extending pipes and saidvertical pipe is a tee pipe fitting.

5. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. said first sprinkler head is adapted to be rotated by the watersupplied thereto; and

b. said first sprinkler head is mounted on a substantially 45 elbow atthe end of said second laterally extending pipe.

6. The structure set forth in claim ll, wherein:

a. said second sprinkler head is adapted to be rotated by water suppliedthereto; and

b. said second sprinkler head is mounted on a substantially 45 elbow atthe end of said second laterally extending pipe.

7. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. said first sprinkler head is mounted on a substantially elbow at theend of said first laterally extending pipe and is adapted to be rotatedby water supplied thereto; and

b. said second sprinkler head is mounted on a substantially 45 elbow atthe end of said second laterally extending pipe and is adapted to berotated by water supplied thereto.

8. The structure set forth in claim 11, wherein:

a. said first and second laterally extending pipes are substantiallyhorizontal and are in alignment with each other,

b. the connection between said laterally extending pipes and saidvertical pipe is a tee pipe fitting;

c. said first sprinkler head is mounted on a substantially 90 elbow atthe end of said first laterally extending pipe; and

d. said second sprinkler head is mounted on a substantially 45 elbow atthe end of said second laterally extending pipe.

9. The structure set forth in claim 1, including:

a. at least one additional fire-shielding device disposed adjacent saidbuilding on another side thereof; and

b. means interconnecting both fire-shielding devices with a source ofwater under pressure, whereby either or both devices may be used forfire-shielding purposes.

M). The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. said first and second laterally extending pipes extend substantiallyperpendicular to the wall of the building which is adjacent to thedevice; and

b. said second laterally extending pipe and said second sprinkler headthereon are disposed further outwardly from the wall of the buildingthan said first sprinkler head.

1. A fire-shielding device for use adjacent the exterior of a building,comprising: a. a substantially vertical pipe extending upwardlyexteriorly of a building to a point above its roof and having aninternal bore through which water may flow; b. a base for saidsubstantially vertical pipe adapted to rest on the ground or foundationexteriorly of the building and adjacent thereto for maintaining saidpipe substantially vertical and having means therewith for supplyingwater under pressure to said bore of said pipe; c. a first laterallyextending pipe connected to the upper end of said vertical pipe andhaving internal passage means communicating with the internal bore ofsaid vertical pipe; d. a first sprinkler head on said first laterallyextending pipe and having means for distributing water therefrom in asubstantially horizontal plane; e. a second laterally extending pipeconnected to the upper end of said vertical pipe and having internalpassage means communicating with the internal bore of said verticalpipe; and f. a second sprinkler head on said second laterally extendingpipe and having means for distributing water therefrom in a plane whichis inclined with respect to horizontal to facilitate use of wind indistributing water therefrom over a wide area.
 2. The structure setforth in claim 1, including braces extending from said base upwardly fora substantial portion of the height of said vertical pipe to maintainsaid vertical pipe in its substantially vertical position even in thepresence of strong winds.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 1,wherein: a. said means with the base for supplying water to saidvertical pipe includes a substantially horizontal supply pipe forming apart of said base; b. said supply pipe has means therewith forconnecting to a source of water Under pressure; and c. a valve operablyconnected between said supply pipe and said source for controlling theflow of water from the source to said supply pipe and thus to saidvertical pipe and said first and second sprinkler heads.
 4. Thestructure set forth in claim 1, wherein; a. said first and secondlaterally extending pipes are substantially horizontal and are inalignment with each other; and b. the connection between said laterallyextending pipes and said vertical pipe is a tee pipe fitting.
 5. Thestructure set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said first sprinkler head isadapted to be rotated by the water supplied thereto; and b. said firstsprinkler head is mounted on a substantially 45* elbow at the end ofsaid second laterally extending pipe.
 6. The structure set forth inclaim 1, wherein: a. said second sprinkler head is adapted to be rotatedby water supplied thereto; and b. said second sprinkler head is mountedon a substantially 45* elbow at the end of said second laterallyextending pipe.
 7. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. saidfirst sprinkler head is mounted on a substantially 90* elbow at the endof said first laterally extending pipe and is adapted to be rotated bywater supplied thereto; and b. said second sprinkler head is mounted ona substantially 45* elbow at the end of said second laterally extendingpipe and is adapted to be rotated by water supplied thereto.
 8. Thestructure set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said first and secondlaterally extending pipes are substantially horizontal and are inalignment with each other; b. the connection between said laterallyextending pipes and said vertical pipe is a tee pipe fitting; c. saidfirst sprinkler head is mounted on a substantially 90* elbow at the endof said first laterally extending pipe; and d. said second sprinklerhead is mounted on a substantially 45* elbow at the end of said secondlaterally extending pipe.
 9. The structure set forth in claim 1,including: a. at least one additional fire-shielding device disposedadjacent said building on another side thereof; and b. meansinterconnecting both fire-shielding devices with a source of water underpressure, whereby either or both devices may be used for fire-shieldingpurposes.
 10. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said firstand second laterally extending pipes extend substantially perpendicularto the wall of the building which is adjacent to the device; and b. saidsecond laterally extending pipe and said second sprinkler head thereonare disposed further outwardly from the wall of the building than saidfirst sprinkler head.